India’s First Women Fighter Pilots All Set To Fly IAF MIG-21 Bisons

Two of India’s first women fighter pilots – Flying Officer Avani Chaturvedi and Flying Officer Bhawana Kanth – are set to fly the supersonic jet fighter and interceptor MiG-21 Bisons, Indian Air Force’s iconic fighters that have the highest take-off speed in the world at 340 kilometres per hour. Avani and Bhawana have already undergone their fighter pilot training and have undertaken solo flights in Pilatus PC-7 turboprops, Kiran and Hawk jet trainers. Their compatriot and Flying Officer Mohana Singh is being trained at the Kalaikunda Air Force base in West Bengal.

“Avani is already undertaking sorties in a twin-seat MiG-21 Type 69 trainer with a qualified fighter instructor (QFI) at the Suratgarh airbase. Bhawana will follow suit at the Ambala airbase soon. Mohana, in turn, is still with Hawk advanced jet trainers at the Kalaikunda airbase. She will also be posted to an operational squadron in due course,” a senior officer was quoted as saying by Times of India. (Also Read: Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman Meets IAF Chief, Grabs a Seat in MIG-21) Read More…